Hakeem Nicks shows up at Giants minicamp

ORG XMIT: WIKS157 New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) celebrates after catching a 37-yard touchdown pass during the first the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. The Giants won 37-20. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)(Photo: Mike Roemer AP)

Story Highlights

There has been speculation that Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks has missed OTAs because he wants a new contract

With Victor Cruz absent as his contract talks continue, the Giants are think at receiver

Nicks' camp disputed the contract rumors, but never offered another reason for his absence

"Happy to see me?" Nicks asked as he approached the media prior to Tuesday's practice.

As expected, restricted free-agent wide receiver Victor Cruz was absent as he continues to work on a new deal.

The reasoning behind Nicks' absence still isn't known, because he refused to discuss it. There is speculation he is trying to show dissatisfaction with his current contract, which is set to enter its final year. But Nicks refused to confirm that rumor, saying he doesn't "talk about his contract in the media."

Coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning claimed to be in the dark during his absence, and Nicks admittedly regretted his failure to communicate with the team.

"I could have done a better job at reaching out," Nicks said. "We finally got to talk, so we got it straightened out. Coach Coughlin, that's my guy, that relationship can't go sour. I felt where he was coming from, though. I should have (done) a better job of reaching out to him. But I'm here now and they're excited to see me."

By showing up, Nicks ducked fines that could have totaled $66,150 over three days, according to the collective bargaining agreement.

After realizing that Coughlin was upset to be left out of the loop, Nicks said he reached out to general manager Jerry Reese, who "knew what the situation was."

Coughlin and Nicks spoke this morning and Manning — who last worked with Nicks at Duke University in April — also greeted his longtime teammate.

"Eli tried to give me a hard time, but he knows that can't go but too long," Nicks said. "He's excited for me to be back."

"I don't know if it's a relief," Manning told the media on Tuesday. "We have three days of practice. We haven't had a practice yet, so I think we just continue going about our business as we have been these last few months."

Nicks broke his foot during last year's OTAs and refused to say whether his health factored into his decision to miss the workouts this year. However, Nicks did say that his foot and knee were improving after a disappointing 2012 season in which he made 53 catches for 692 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games.

In contrast, Nicks had 76 catches for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011 before registering 28 receptions, 444 yards and four scores in four postseason victories.

"The knee is feeling good," he said.

Nicks doesn't know how much he'll do during minicamp, but hopes to be at full strength for the start of training camp.

Nicks refused to comment on Cruz's situation, but ultimately said that his teammate "still loves this team and he still wants to be here." The two have remained in contact, Nicks said.

Cruz, who unlike Nicks isn't obligated to attend minicamp, remains in ongoing negotiations with the Giants, who have extended a $2.879 million tender. The team can reduce that figure to $630,000 on June 17, although that's unlikely, because such a drastic measure probably would sour and prolong negotiations, rather than to expedite them.

Nicks, who has been absent for the team's optional organized team activities, is at the team's facility Tuesday morning.

He intends to practice all three days of minicamp, a person informed of Nicks' whereabouts told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on Nicks' behalf.